Mother arrested in Charlotte child abuse case

Charlotte County sheriff’s detectives arrested a young mother who they say joined with her boyfriend in sexually abusing her 18-month-old girl.

Melissa Ann Bailey, 26, of the 20000 block of Helms Way in Port Charlotte, was charged Thursday with capital sexual battery on an 18-month-old; capital sexual battery-principle; lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 12 years old; possession of child pornography videos; use of a child in sexual performance; lewd exhibition and lewd or lascivious conduct. She was being processed at Charlotte County Jail Thursday evening, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Bailey’s boyfriend, Glenn M. Nelson, 59, of Punta Gorda, had been arrested Tuesday on numerous child sex charges in connection with the case. He is being held at the jail without bond.

Several computers were confiscated from the homes of Bailey and Nelson, as well as Nelson’s office. Computer crimes detectives say they found child pornography images, chat files between Bailey and Nelson discussing having sex with her baby via webcam, and other images.

Detectives are still downloading images from the computers, and the investigation continues. More charges may be filed, the Sheriff’s Office said.